Catholic Bible Translations

"What are the Catholic Bible Translations?"

Catholics have a number of options in choosing a bible translation that fit their prayer,study or meditation needs. This blog post aims to give information as regards several Catholic bible translations.

Bible translations

There are many bible translations which can help Catholics in their life of prayer and work. These bible translations are often used by many Catholics here and abroad:

• The New American Bible
• The Jerusalem Bible
• The Revised Standard Version
• The New Revised Standard Version
• The Good News Bible

Although the ideal (for study reasons) is to have all five translations, one can simply select one depending on one's needs.

For Catholics deeply immersed in liturgical life, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist, the New American Bible is good. Much of the texts in the New American Bible are also used in the Sacramentary and the Lectionary - two liturgical books used by the clergy in the celebration of the Eucharist. For countries and cultures familiar with American English, then this bible translation would fit perfectly in their prayer life.

The Jerusalem Bible is a favorite of students, scholars, and those given much into biblical studies. This bible translation combines two excellent qualities in a translation: very close to the original meaning of the text of the languages in which they were written; and written in a style of English that is elegantly presented. This is rare in bible translations. Since the English is smooth and polished, the translation is good not only for studies but also for prayer.

The Revised Standard Version is a must for all students of the bible. This bible translation is very, very close to the original meaning of the languages from which the translators worked on. Unlike the New Jerusalem Bible, the English in which it is presented is not as smooth and polished. But if one is in bible studies or any seminar on scriptures, this is a must-have.

The New Revised Standard Version is an improvement of the previous translation. Aside from inclusive language, it also presents numerous study aids such as maps, charts and a small concordance. It also has a table of readings for Sundays, solemnities, and weekdays [according to the lectionary of the Catholic Church in Canada]. Though this translation is often associated with North America, since its approval came from the bishops of both the U.S.A. and Canada, its capability as a translation is remarkably unique: the translation is an ecumenical product of Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant and Jewish scholars. For those who want a translation that is a product of contemporary times, then this is the bible to purchase.

The Good News Bible is also a translation that Catholics can use. In general, this bible translation is best whenever you come upon a biblical passage [from another translation], and find it difficult to understand. Since the English is simple and contemporary, it is easier to comprehend. This is a bible translation anyone new with the bible can find easy to begin with. Whether it be for prayer, meditation or study, this is excellent for starters.

Memorial of Saints (October 24)

St. Anthony Mary Claret entered the Jesuit novitiate in Rome, but ill health caused him to leave. He preached missions for some years until together with Bishop Codina, he founded the Claretians - a congregation dedicated to the missions. Active in the politics of his time, a demand for his arrest led him to retire to a Cistercian monastery until his death (died ca. 1870 A.D.).

Blessed Aloysius Guanella worked as a parish priest for some years. In 1875 A.D., he assisted St. John Bosco in missionary work. Then, he returned to his diocese to work with the poor. As he opened refuges and schools for the poor, he eventually founded the Servants of Charity and the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence (died October 24, 1915 A.D.).

St. Felix of Thibiuca was a bishop of Africa. He had in his custody some sacred books of the Church which the secular authorities in his area wanted him to surrender. As St. Felix persisted in his refusal to surrender the sacred books, he was arrested, sent to Rome in chains, and then was beheaded (died ca. 303 A.D.).

St. Proclus was a disciple of St. John Chrysostom. He became active in the politics of the Church of his time - incurring rejection from the people of Cyzicus, and opposing Nestorius' teachings. He was then named Patriarch of Constantinople and ministered well to the people of the city. He also wrote several treatises, letters, and sermons (died ca. 446 A.D.).

St. Aretas was chief of the Beno Health community in southwestern Arabia. He and 340 of his townspeople were massacred due to the political conflicts of their time. The massacre horrified the world at the time that Mohammed even denounced it in the Koran (died ca. 523 A.D.).

St. Senoch was a convert to the Christian faith, and then became a hermit. Known for his holiness, he attracted disciples and was praised highly by St. Gregory of Tours. St. Senoch was reported to have performed numerous miracles as abbot of his community of monks (died ca. 576 A.D.).

St. Martin of Vertou was ordained deacon by St. Felix. After preaching unsuccessfully at Poitou, he lived as a hermit in the Dunan forest in Britanny. He eventually attracted numerous disciples whom he organized into the Vertou Abbey, and became its abbot (died ca. 601 A.D.).

St. Maglorious became a monk and a disciple of St. Samson. The two became missionaries to Britanny. St. Maglorious became abbot of a monastery and then succeeded St. Samson as bishop of Dol. In his old age, St. Maglorious lived as a hermit and founded a monastery at Sark (died ca. 586 A.D.).

St. Ebregislus is reported in the Roman Martyrology as an archdeacon who succeeded St. Severinus as bishop of Cologne. He was then beaten to death in a church at Tongres (died ca. 5th century).

Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Her Life, Work & Beatification

On Mother Teresa and her missionary work

Facts on Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa of Calcutta has won the heart of the world by her missionary work among the "poorest of the poor" in Calcutta, India. Written here are some facts about her and her missionary work.

A second vocation

Before Mother Teresa discovered her call to a "second vocation", she was a member of a teaching congregation of sisters - the Sisters of Our Lady of Loreto in Ireland. It was said that while she was teaching at Calcutta to middle-class girls at Saint Mary's High School, she peered out the window of the school and saw the poor of Calcutta. That was one of the turning points of her vocational crisis. Eventually, it was while in a train ride that she felt the call to serve the "poorest of the poor" in Calcutta. On August 16, 1948 A.D., she left her congregation to follow her "second" call. This was a major turning point that soon paved the way for her to receive the honor of the title, "the living saint".

Herewith is a list of important facts and highlights in the life and missionary work of Mother Teresa

1910 A.D.: She was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26 in Skopje, of Albanian parents. Her father, Nikolle, had a construction supply store. When he died, Drana Bernai, her mother supported the family by engaging in dressmaking.

1928 A.D.: She arrives in India to join a convent school in Calcutta, administered by the Sisters of Our Lady of Loreto

1931 A.D.: Agnes makes her religious profession of chastity, poverty and obedience on May 25, taking the name Teresa, after Saint Therese of Lisieux.

1946 A.D.: Mother Teresa is inspired to set up her own home to help the poor and sick of Calcutta

1948 A.D.: She becomes an Indian citizen

1950 A.D.: Mother Teresa sets up the Missionaries of Charity

1960 A.D.: Mother Teresa makes her first trip outside India. Her trip eventually led her to visit London where she was interviewed by Malcolm Muggeridge, who convinced the BBC to make a documentary of her work. The program thus produced, plus a later biography, "Something Beautiful for God", would make her world-famous.

1965 A.D.: On February 1, the Vatican granted the Missionaries of Charity official approval.

1971 A.D.: Awarded the Pope John Peace Prize

1979 A.D.: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

1980 A.D.: Mother Teresa is bestowed India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna.

1989 A.D.: She suffers heart trouble and is fitted with a pacemaker

1990 A.D.: She is asked to stand down as head of the order but is voted back in as superior general.

1991 A.D.: Undergoes heart surgery in the United States.

1993 A.D.: Further surgery in Calcutta is performed to clear a blocked heart vessel.

1994 A.D.: Pope John Paul II persuades Mother Teresa to continue as head of the order.

1996 A.D.: She suffers heart failure on August 22. Her heart stops beating for around two minutes but she is resuscitated. She later has a heart attack and undergoes further surgery to clear her heart arteries.

1997 A.D.: On March 13, Sister Nirmala is elected to succeed Mother Teresa as head of the Missionaries of Charity. On May 16, Mother Teresa sets off on a nine-week tour of Europe and the United States to introduce her successor to the Pope. She then becomes embroiled in a dispute over a television film of her life which she says glamorizes her work. She then dies in Calcutta on September 5, at age 87.

Mother Teresa died having written to her Sisters, "Love for Jesus in prayer, love for Jesus in your brothers and sisters, love for Jesus in the poorest of the poor. Nothing else."

Because of Mother Teresa's commitment to the "poorest of the poor", her Order has expanded throughout the world - running hospices, treatment centers, and hospitals and caring for the abandoned, the aged, and the homeless.

In October 19, 2003 A.D., Pope John Paul II celebrated the solemn eucharistic liturgy for the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. This is one step before she is declared a saint in the universal Church.